JOTF Newsletter - July 2005

JOTF Forum Panelists Offer Tips for Strong Funding Partnerships

Grantmakers and service providers came together on September 27th for a candid dialogue about cultivating effective working relationships. Representatives of foundations and community-based organizations spoke at the University of Baltimore School of Business about ways the two groups can work together to realize their shared goals.

JOTF, AFL-CIO Call for More Accountability in Economic Development
Each year the state awards millions of dollars in economic development incentives to companies on the condition that they create jobs for Maryland residents. But as a recent state audit reports, it is unclear how many jobs are actually created through corporate grants and tax breaks.

In a letter to the editor of the Maryland Daily Record on September 23, JOTF and the Maryland & D.C. AFL-CIO call upon the state to do a better job of tracking and disclosing the results of economic development deals.

American Community Survey Provides Updated Info on Income and Poverty
Conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the nationwide American Community Survey provides regularly updated information about income, poverty, housing, immigration and other social indicators.

The Population Reference Bureau, a nonprofit resource on national population trends, analyzed the most recent batch of ACS data in the September 2005 issue of the PRB Population Bulletin. Click here to read the Bulletin in PDF format.

Daily Record: "Wage(ing) war, take two "
The Maryland Daily Record reported on September 30 that a living wage mandate for state contracts will likely re-emerge as one of the state legislature's more contentious issues in the 2006 session.

In 2004 the General Assembly passed a bill requiring state contracters to pay their employees above a certain wage. That measure was vetoed by the governor, and was overshadowed in the 2005 session by a state minimum wage bill. Both measures are on the table as legislators prepare for the upcoming session. However, at this point it is unclear whether the Democratic leadership is inclined to pursue a veto override on the living wage bill, which is staunchly opposed by Maryland's business community.

The Open Society Institute–Baltimore Criminal Justice and Education & Youth Development Programs present the forum series: School Discipline Policies and their Criminal Justice Consequences; Reducing School Suspensions through Prevention, Planning and Student Support: The Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support Model (PBIS).

With
Susan Barrett - Sheppard Pratt Health Systems
Phil Leaf – Johns Hopkins University
Milt McKenna - Maryland State Department of Education
Joan Parr - PBIS Coach Facilitator

9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Open Society Institute – Baltimore
201 North Charles Street, Suite 1300
Baltimore, Maryland

RSVP to Justin Schaberg at (410) 234-1092 x213 or jschaberg@sorosny.org by Friday, October 14, 2005

In 2004, Maryland required elementary schools with a suspension rate over 18% to implement a school-wide behavioral intervention initiative. The Baltimore School System is implementing PBIS, a team-based process for systemic problem solving, planning, and evaluation of school behavior problems.

PBIS is based on evidence that shows most student misbehavior occurs at certain times of the school day and/or in specific locations on the campus. To reduce these “hot spots,” PBIS helps school administrators track data about where, when and why misbehaviors occur and to develop interventions that address these specific situations. It also helps schools to develop supports to prevent misbehavior, and policies to teach and reward students for following school rules.

In schools throughout the

U.S., PBIS has resulted in fewer disciplinary referrals and less administrative and classroom time spent on managing disruptive behavior. Come and hear how it is working in Baltimore.

This event is part of Forging Open Society: Generating Ideas, Partnerships and Solutions forums convened by OSI-Baltimore to encourage community leaders with diverse perspectives to craft solutions to challenges facing the Baltimore region.

"Raise the Voice!" - MD Nonprofit Annual Conference (11/1/05)
Maryland Nonprofits will hold it's 13th Annual Conference, "Raise the Voice!", on November 1, 2005 from 8 am - 4 pm at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road North Bethesda, MD 20852. For moreinformation visit http://www.marylandnonprofits.org/.

Women's Re-Entry Conference (11/12/05)
Women Empowering Women presents the "1st Annual National Re-Entry Conference," 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on November 12 at Coppin State University's New Dining Hall, 2500 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. Registration $15; scholarships and group rates available, donations gratefully accepted.

The conference will cover such topics as legal information, health issues, recovery reinforcement, housing assistance, self-esteem enhancement, re-entry resources, and spiritual renewal. For more information contact: Alfreda Robinson at 410-235-3584 (Baltimore); Dr. Patricia N. Marks at 703-569-7237 (Virginia/Washington D.C); Kelly Salzmann at 202-824-2802; or Diane Sims-Moore at 202-547-1090.

Baltimore Immigration Summit (11/18/05)
The Mayor's Office and Towson University present “Envisioning Immigrant Baltimore,” Baltimore's Second Annual Immigration Summit: Friday, November 18^th, 2005 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore.

LEARN about Baltimore’s diverse immigrant population; celebrate the contributions immigrants make to Baltimore and the U.S.; and visit and experience the American Visionary Art Museum’s “Race, Class, Gender ≠ Character” exhibit.

OSI Seeks Soros Challenge Campaign Director
The Open Society Institute-Baltimore, a private operating and grantmaking foundation, is seeking a creative and accomplished individual to lead an ambitious campaign to diversify its funding sources and ensure its ongoing operation. Applicants should bring extensive experience in fundraising and marketing as well as a strong interest in securing opportunity and justice for Baltimore City residents.

Through the generous support of its founder George Soros, OSI-Baltimore has invested $50 million in Baltimore over the past seven years to combat urban ills such as drug addiction, failing schools, and high rates of incarceration. In May of this year, Mr. Soros put forward an additional $10 million as a challenge grant if funders in Baltimore and beyond would contribute an additional $20 million to continue the work of OSI-Baltimore post-2005. The combined $30 million would allow the institute to carry on its mission for at least another five years.

OSI-Baltimore works with a local board to develop and support a grantmaking and technical assistance program that fosters debate, empowers marginalized groups to help shape and monitor public policy, and strengthens communities and families through the development of fair, rational, and responsive public systems. Its current work focuses on four initiatives: helping Baltimore's youth succeed; reducing the social and economic costs of incarceration; tackling drug addiction; and building a corps of Community Fellows to bring innovative ideas to Baltimore's underserved communities.

Candidates should meet the following requirements: at least ten years of development experience with proven record in management, capital campaigns, major gifts, and working with top level volunteers; demonstrated written and verbal communications skills; and high performance in managing multiple priorities in a fast paced, high pressure environment. Salary is negotiable based on experience and part-time versus full-time status. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, resume, three references and salary requirements to: OSI-Baltimore HR, 201 North Charles Street, Suite 1300, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

OSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

MPR Assocs. Seeks Senior Research Associate
MPR Associates, a California-based education research organization, is seeking a Senior Research Associate for its Washington, D.C. office. The candidate must have a background and expertise in adult education topic areas such as adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL), family literacy, adult learning disabilities, and/or adult secondary education. Excellent written and oral communication skills and knowledge and experience with qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and policy analysis are required. Ability to successfully manage project tasks and team efforts is expected. Candidates must have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree and related experience. Demonstrated experience in assessment, curriculum and professional development within adult education content areas, management of adult education programs at the state or local level, and/or teaching of adult learners is preferred.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and vita to:
MPR Associates, Inc.
Attn: Human Resources
2150 Shattuck Ave., Suite 800
Berkeley, CA 94704
Fax: (510) 849-0794
EMail: HR@mprinc.com

MPR Associates is an equal opportunity & affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, disabled & veterans are encouraged to apply.